Press release
Minister Donnelly approves ambitious proposals to alleviate paediatric orthopaedic waiting times
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has approved ambitious plans from Children’s Health Ireland and Cappagh Opthopaedic Hospital to reduce waiting times for children and adolescents awaiting paediatric orthopaedic surgery for conditions such as Spina Bifida and Scoliosis. The plan includes specific ringfenced funding for Cappagh Kids.
Following a request from the Minister in January, the HSE and hospitals involved, developed a plan to improve waiting times for orthopaedic services.
The details were conveyed to patients groups at a meeting yesterday evening.
Minister Donnelly said:
"Last week, I held a number of meetings the clinical teams from Crumlin, Temple Street, and Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital, along with senior management from these hospitals and the HSE, to discuss the development of an orthopaedic waiting list plan for children in Ireland.
"I have approved the plan and welcome the target to ensure that no scoliosis patient is waiting over 4 months for a procedure by the end of this year. Time is a critical factor in ensuring children with conditions such as Scoliosis and Spina Bifida have a positive outcome from their surgeries."
The plans set out the following targets:
A number of targeted actions will be implemented: